Recently, three students from the prestigious Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife in Osun State, made the nation proud by winning the Spirit of the Competition Award at the 4th International Negotiation Competition in New Delhi, India.

It was the first time a Nigerian team participated in the competition.
The Competition was organized by U.K. based firm of Herbert Smith Freehills, HSF, in collaboration with and hosted by the National Law University, New Delhi, India.
The trio were Oyewole Faith Bamise, Oyiki Great, Ayansola Oluwaseun Joshua, all 500 Level students of the faculty. Mr M.A. Latest, lecturer in the same faculty was their team coach.
Speaking with Lawyard about his experience at the competition, Oyewale revealed that “it is the best experience ever. Competing with different schools from all over the world including the likes of Oxford University, UK, University of Queenland, Australia, Melbourne University, Australia, University of Technology, Sydney and so on, was quite a memory sticking experience and a lot was learnt from it. Apart from the competition, we got more exposed and connected with people who are vast in this area of law from HSF.”
Oyiki also praised his teammates, stating that the trio’s prior friendship earned them their ground breaking performance.
“Awesome guys. I think this was all possible because we have a common drive. In addition, their intelligence is matchless.

“For our team coach Mr M. A. Lateef, his words of advice have brought us this far. He treated us like his mates. His sacrifice to our success can’t be downplayed. If I’m to do this again, I would do it with the same set of people.” Oyiki said.
Speaking on getting sponsorship for the competition, Ayansola explained that “it was extremely difficult.”
“It’s always been. For those who know me I started the #VENT Campaign on Instagram to address this same issue of funding and the de-emphasizing of scholarship in our society.
“It took family and friends and the significant intervention of Mr Adesegun Akin-Olugbade (OON), Mr Gbenga Oyebode (MFR) chairman of Aluko & Oyebode and the firm of Banwo & Ighodalo for us to make the trip at the last moment. We will forever be indebted to the aforementioned sponsors.
“We wish the University will invest more in ventures of this nature which can certainly attract foreign partners to Obafemi Awolowo University and increase the School’s reputation internationally.
However, their team coach M. A. Lateef ESQ , expressed his excitement with the extraordinary performance of the team members.
The competition was commenced on the 8th of September and ended on the 10th of September, 2017.

The team’s coach M. A. Lateef has written articles published on Lawyard




http://www.lawyard.ng/oau-law-students-defy-odds-to-win-on-debut-at-indian-competition/